The Best PTSD Therapy: What Works, How Long It Takes, and Can PTSD Be Cured?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people worldwide, often as a result of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as a combat, abuse, accidents, or natural disasters. While PTSD can be a debilitating condition, the good news is that there are effective therapies available to help individuals manage and heal from the symptoms. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best PTSD therapies, how long therapy typically takes, and whether PTSD can be fully cured. We’ll also discuss an innovative and highly effective treatment option known as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
What is PTSD and How Does it Affect People?
PTSD is a mental health disorder that develops after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event. The symptoms of PTSD can vary widely but typically include intrusive thoughts or flashbacks, nightmares, heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, avoidance of triggers, and emotional numbness. Individuals with PTSD may also struggle with irritability, anger, difficulty concentrating, and a sense of detachment from others.
The impact of PTSD is profound and can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life, from relationships to work to personal well-being. However, with the right therapeutic interventions, many individuals can significantly reduce or even eliminate their PTSD symptoms.
What is the Best PTSD Therapy?
The “best” PTSD therapy can vary depending on the individual’s needs, preferences, and the nature of the trauma they experienced. However, several evidence-based approaches have shown remarkable success in treating PTSD. Here are some of the most widely recognized therapies:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
CBT is one of the most commonly used and effective forms of therapy for PTSD. CBT helps individuals identify and challenge distorted or unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to their PTSD symptoms. Through techniques like cognitive restructuring, clients learn to reframe negative thoughts, while exposure therapy helps them gradually confront and reduce the distress associated with trauma-related memories and triggers. Most people experience significant improvement in their symptoms after 12-16 sessions of CBT.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART):
ART is a relatively new but highly promising approach to treating PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. ART is a brief, focused therapy that integrates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization, and guided imagery. ART works by helping clients process traumatic memories in a way that leads to rapid resolution of symptoms.
In ART, individuals use eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation) to help reprocess distressing memories. What sets ART apart from other therapies is its use of mental imagery and techniques designed to help individuals “re-script” traumatic memories in a more positive and manageable way. The goal is to help individuals create new, less-distressing emotional associations with the memories, significantly reducing the symptoms of PTSD.
One of the most significant advantages of ART is its speed—many clients report feeling relief from symptoms in just 1 to 5 sessions, making it a quicker option compared to traditional therapies like CBT or EMDR.
Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy:
Brief eclectic psychotherapy, intended for those who have experienced a single traumatic event, combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy with a psychodynamic approach which means that in addition to CBT interventions clients will build self-awareness, process unresolved feelings, and examine their role in problematic relationship patterns. It focuses on changing the emotions of shame and guilt and emphasizes the relationship between the client and therapist. Most people experience relief in approximately 16 sessions.
Can PTSD Be Cured?
While PTSD is a complex condition, it is important to note that PTSD can be effectively treated and in many cases, individuals can experience full recovery. However, the term “cure” can be somewhat misleading. PTSD can be thought of as a chronic condition that can be managed and healed with appropriate therapy. For many, this means that the symptoms of PTSD can become minimal or even nonexistent over time with consistent treatment.
Some people may experience lasting recovery where they no longer exhibit significant PTSD symptoms, while others may continue to manage their condition with occasional therapy or self-care strategies. The goal of therapy is not necessarily to erase the past trauma, but to help individuals process and integrate their experiences in a way that allows them to live a fulfilling, functional life without being controlled by the traumatic memories.
If you would like to talk more about how therapy can align with your needs and goals, call or text 480.378.7341 or email [email protected] to set up a free, 15-minute consultation with a licensed therapist today.